434: Zouhair Talbi - I'm 100% Focused

Moroccan-born Zouhair Talbi is a father, husband, and one of the fastest marathoners in the United States. Now an American citizen, Zouhair currently ranks as the third-fastest American in the men’s marathon. Fresh off a win at the Chevron Houston Marathon and a runner-up finish at the United Airlines NYC Half, he’s now setting his sights on the Boston Marathon next month. In this episode, Zouhair shares his journey into running, what’s fueled his longevity in the sport, and how he’s competed and excelled at short and long distances (from 3000m all the way to marathon) revealing which distance truly feels like home. Running is a family affair: his wife Elizabeth recently placed tenth in Houston and qualified for the Olympic Trials just 10 months after giving birth. Zouhair opens up about balancing elite training with fatherhood, the unique challenges of training during Ramadan, and how he continues to pursue excellence both on and off the course.

Every March, New York City buzzes with energy for both St. Patrick's Day and the iconic United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. With more than 30,000 runners racing through Times Square and Central Park, unforgettable moments are guaranteed, and this year delivered in a big way! After providing the race-day commentary Carrie joined the Set The Pace Podcast team for exclusive, post-race interviews with the day’s champions. This week on C Tolle Run, we’re bringing you those finish-line conversations. Hear from champions Hellen Obiri, who set a blazing course record of 1:06:33, Adriaan Wildschutt, and wheelchair race winners Daniel Romanchuk and Eden Rainbow-Cooper. Each shares an inside look at their race, just moments after crossing the finish line. Carrie was there to capture it all and now you get to experience it too!

Jordan (Hasay) Hogan has been a household name in the running world since she burst onto the scene as a teenage phenom, winning at nearly every level and representing Team USA both in high school and as a professional. With a marathon personal best (2:20:57) that ranks among the ten fastest ever by an American woman, Jordan has firmly secured her place among the greatest runners in U.S. history. Last summer, Jordan welcomed her son, Micah, and stepped into a brand new chapter: motherhood. In this episode, Carrie catches up with Jordan to talk about training during pregnancy, how becoming a mom has reshaped her perspective, and whether the competitive fire to race is still burning. Jordan also shares what’s next, from launching her coaching business to the possibility of returning to professional running. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation full of stories, laughter, and advice for runners everywhere.

Born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents and raised in the UK, Julia Paternain’s journey to the international stage is anything but ordinary. With deep family roots in Uruguay, she chose to represent the country and made history doing so. Julia captured Uruguay’s first-ever medal in distance running, earning bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo, and set a national record in her marathon debut at the McKirdy Micro Marathon with an impressive 2:27:09. Now based in Flagstaff, she’s competing professionally and gearing up for the NYC Half and the London Marathon this spring. Carrie sits down with Julia to talk about her global upbringing (growing up with three passports and a green card), her breakthrough performance in Tokyo, life as an elite athlete, and what she’s like beyond the race course. Julia also shares her ambitious goals for the future and what it will take to reach them. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about identity, resilience, and chasing big dreams on the world stage.

At just 24 years old, Charles Hicks is already building an impressive résumé. The professional Nike athlete recently placed 7th at the TCS New York City Marathon, clocking a blazing 2:09 (finishing as the second American in his debut marathon), and captured his first USATF Championship title at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. In this episode, Charles shares what’s fueled his breakthrough at longer distances, what it was like running alongside Eliud Kipchoge in New York, and the key lessons he’s learned throughout his rise in the sport. We also look back at his standout collegiate career at Stanford, preview what’s next on his racing calendar, and get a glimpse into who he is beyond the starting line. From mindset to mileage, this is a deep dive into one of American distance running’s brightest young stars.

We hope you're hungry for a conversation about nutrients! Today we’re joined by experts Jillian Tholen and Alex Larson to break down what athletes actually need to know about fueling their bodies. We cover building a balanced plate for best performance (protein, carbs, fats, yes, all of them) and we get tips for how to keep it simple in the kitchen. Carrie tackles the hot-button topics head-on, including when to fuel, adapting as we age, and athletes using GLP-1s, what they are, why they matter, and how to approach them safely and responsibly. As endurance athletes, Jillian and Alex explain the value of working with a dietitian and how their athletic experience enhances their professional expertise. Add in rapid-fire Q&A to answer your biggest nutrition questions, and you’ve got an episode packed with practical tips to help you fuel smarter for your next adventure.

You may recognize Cole Hocker from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he captured gold in the men’s 1500 meters and set a new Olympic record. He is also the 2025 World Champion in the 5000 meters. He’s stayed on top ever since, most recently taking the win at the prestigious Millrose Games. With a lighter summer season ahead, Cole sits down with Carrie to catch up on life, covering everything from training and racing to making music and how even the best handle their nerves. As THE best in the world over the past two years, Cole opens up about his mindset, how he keeps the fire alive, and the role faith plays in sustaining a long, successful career. Balancing elite competition with genuine fun, Cole proves there’s something in his journey that everyone can learn from.

Newly crowned American indoor record holder in the 800m, and the first woman ever to break 1:58 indoors, Roisin Willis joins C Tolle Run this week! Roisin is coming off an incredible stretch, racing three times in just ten days: she won the New Balance Indoor Games, shattered the American 800m record, and capped it off with a victory in the Millrose 600m. We dive into her journey into the sport, how she balances life as a New Balance professional while competing collegiately at Stanford, and the highs, lows, and everything in between. Roisin also reflects on her rapid rise and shares the advice she’d give her younger self after everything she’s already accomplished.

Dot McMahan returns to C Tolle Run after hitting a huge milestone! At 49 years old, Dot has just qualified for her sixth Olympic Marathon Trials. In a sport where standards keep tightening and competition grows fiercer every year, she continues to rise to the challenge. Carrie and Dot dive into her long, remarkable career, how the sport has evolved, her daughter El’s rise in the running world, and how Dot balances life beyond the miles. After more than two decades as a professional runner, Dot brings a wealth of wisdom, hard-earned lessons, and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

Calli Hauger-Thackery is a 2024 Olympian, 2024 European Half Marathon bronze medalist, and the second-fastest British female marathoner of all time. She joins C Tolle Run following major victories at the Honolulu Marathon and, most recently, the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon. In this episode, we dive deep into Calli’s journey, from her early love of running to her collegiate career at the University of New Mexico, her professional running career, and how she’s now paying it forward by coaching the next generation of runners. Calli shares how she made the leap to the professional ranks, met her husband, ran her first marathon, and built the momentum that has defined the past few years of her career. We also explore the highs and lows that come with elite competition and life beyond the sport. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation that covers the moments, mindset, and milestones that shaped one of the best distance runners in the world.